Machine for cutting textiles



March 1952 R. T. KOROLYSHUN ET AL" 2,588,016

MACHINE FOR CUTTING TEXTILES 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1950 INVENTOR. Russm T. KOROLYSHUN Y FRANCIS J. SULLIVAN B ATTORNEY March 1952 R. T. KOROLYSHUN ET AL 2,588,016

MACHINE FOR CUTTING TEXTILES Filed Jan. 2'7, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 I INVENTOR. 4/ .92 32 Russm TKOROLYSHUN y FRANCIS J. SULLIVAN ATTORNE Y Patented Mar. 4, 1952 MACHINE FOR CUTTING TEXTILES Russell T. Korclyshun, Derby, and Francis J. Sullivan, Ansonia, Conn., assignors to Sidney Blumenthal & Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York 7 Application January 27, 1950, Serial No. 140,802

Claims. 1

. The present invention relates to a device for cutting fabric and more particularly to such a device for forming a longitudinal cut in a length of fabric alon a line parallel with and closely adjacent to a row of pile loops or tufts or the edge of a pattern formed in such fabric as by printing, embossing, weaving or carving.

The embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration herein is particularly useful in connection with trimming the selvage edges from a pile fabric such as carpet of the type commonly referred to as broadloom carpet, although it will be recognized that this particular embodiment of the device has great utility with other forms of carpet as well as with other forms of fabrics where it might be desired to trim the selvage or otherwise form a longitudinal out along a line which is parallel with a row of pile loops or with the edge of a pattern formed in relief thereon.

It is well known that no matter how carefully a pile fabric is woven the rows of pile loops will not form perfectly straight lines. Variations from true linearity will usually take the form of irregularly spaced waves. The usual method of trimming the selvage involves the use of a slitter roll and rotary blades cooperating therewith. Such equipment inherently produces a out along a perfectly straight line which frequently cuts diagonally across a row of loops. While this may not matter particularly when stitched seams are to be formed in the ordinary manner. it has been found impossible to conceal a cut across a row of loops when it is attempted to form an invisible seam.

' Carpeting is now being produced which has permanently secured to the back thereof a backing or cushion formed of sponge rubber which may vary in thickness from about to M or more. It has been observed that with carpeting of this type it is possible to form invisible or substantially invisible seams between adjacent strips if the edges of such adjacent strips have been out along a line which precisely follows the row of pile loops or tufts adjacent the line of cut. Two strips of rubber backed carpet cut in this fashion may be laid side by said and a strip of tape may be cemented to the surfaces of the rubber backing adjacent the seam to join the pieces of carpet. Since the rubber backing insures against creeping of the carpet after it is laid, such a seam will remain invisible or substantially invisible throughout the life of the carpet.

I To secure the result just described, it is apparent that apparatus must be provided which will insure'the cutting of the carpet along a line which is parallel with and uniformly spaced from the row of pile loops which lies alon the cut edge. Usually two or three rows of loops will be cut off along with the selvage and the cut may be made midway between two adjacent rows. If so desired the cut may be formed slightly closer to the row which remains on the piece to be used to compensate for failure to bring the cut edges into precise abutting relation when the seam is formed.

The embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration herein comprises a bed of width suitable for the width of carpet which is to be cut or trimmed and a pair of band saws on opposite sides of the bed each with a device for guiding the blade so that it will follow the contour of a row of pile loops. The exposed or operative portions of the band saw blades are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the bed and suitable apparatus is provided for moving the carpet along the bed in a direction generally parallel with the rows of pile loops therein.

The blade guiding device for each of the band saw blades is strung on the blade and is of such shape and size as to rest upon the ground of the carpet and to ride snugly in the furrow between adjacent rows of pile loops. The band saws are so arranged that the blades move vertically through the guides while performing the cutting operation. Since the band saw blades are inherently flexible they may be moved transversely by the guides as they follow the furrows through such deviations from perfect linearity as are normally encountered. If so desired, a scale and pointer may be associated with one or both of the guides to indicate the degree of I displacement of the blade from its normal position. Obviously the particular apparatus shown may be used to form one or more cuts in many forms of material having a relief design which it is desired to follow. Furthermore the principle of flexing a band saw blade by moving a floating guide through which the blade is strung may be adapted to other uses wherein it is desired to form a cut of somewhat irregular contour in any material.

The object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cutting material along a line of irregular or other desired contour. Other and further objects will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred but not necessarily the only form of the invention taken in connection with the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is adiagrammatic transverse vertical sectional view of the cutting devices and supporting bed of the machine taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view partlyin section showing the blade guide and its supporting arm;

Fig. 4 is a section along theline 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of'the blade guide. as shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a frame H] which may be of any suitable length and provided with a cross rod 12 adapted to support a roll. l4 of pile fabric such as rubberbacked carpet l8. The frame l0 also may be provided with one or more guide rods I611 around, which the carpet l8pmay be guidedas-it is withdrawn from the roll I4.- As shownin Fig. l the frame [0 is broken away so asto show-the supporting and guiding meansfor a single roll [4. It will be understood that ordinarilytwo or more supporting and guidin means will be provided so that the cutting device may operate substantially continuously while the'rolls arebeing changed. The frame l0 comprises vertically and horizontally spaced longitudinal members which are connected by any suitable form of transverse members (not shown) to form a box-like structure only one side of which is-shown in Fig. l. The transverse width of the frame is such as to accommodate carpet of any particular width desired.

The frame I0 also supports a plurality of guide rods 24 which maybe arranged in over and under a relationship with the carpet; Each of the guide rods is equipped witnfianges 26 at the opposite ends thereof for cooperation with the edges of the carpet to maintain it in a substantially true course of travel longitudinally of the frame In.

The carpet l8 may be-moved longitudinallyof the frame win any suitable manner as for example by; feed rolls 28 which are rotated by any suitable means (not shown).

A' bed 32 extends transversely of the frame 10 and may rest uponblocks 30 carried by the frame [0. The bed 32 is of such a width as to support the carpet throughout its width and the ends thereof may extend beyond the frame In so as to serve the function of saw tables for the band saws to be described hereinbelow.

As shown'in-Fig. 2 band saws 34 and 36 are positioned at the opposite ends of the bed 32. The band saws 34 and 36 may be of any conventional type so arranged that the blades 38 and 40 thereof move vertically through suitable openings 4| in the end portions of the bed 32 or in saw tables coplanar with the bed 32. The band saws 34 and 36 may be moved toward and from each other to vary the spacing between blades 38 and 4|] by the operation of suitable adjusting screws 35 and 31.

As shown in said Fig. 2, the band saws 34 and 36 are so positioned as to cut relatively narrow selvage portions 42 and 44 from the opposite edges of the carpet l8. It will be understood that within the limitations of the throat depth of the particular band saws used, the width of the portions cut from the carpet may be varied at will. It also will be apparent that in the 4 event it is not desired to trim both edges of the carpet either of the band saws 34 or 36 may be omitted or disabled if so desired.

Referring now to Fig. l, the band saw 36 is provided with a bracket 46 rigidly secured to the upper blade guard or other immovable part as bybolts 48. The bracket 46 is provided near its free end with a vertically disposed opening to slidably receive a rod 50 which extends vertically downwardly of the bracket and may be held in adjusted position by means of a set screw 52 carried by the bracket 46. At its lower end the rod 50 supports. an arm 54 which carries the blade guiding mechanism 56 to be described in detail hereinbelow. The blade guiding mechanism 56 is arranged to receive the blade 40 and to deflect it transversely of the carpet IS in response to deviations which may occur in the rows of pile loops adjacent which a cut is to be made.

Referring now to Figs.- 3, 4 and 5, it will be observed that the-rod '50- is arranged to support the arm 54 for free pivotal movement in a plane parallel with the bed 32. To this end the arm 54 isprovided with an enlarged hub 62 in which is located a bushing 64 and a set of roller bearings 66 which surround the rod 50. A retaining washer 68 is secured by a screw 10 to the lower end of the rod 50 to support the arm 54;

At its free end the arm 54 has an enlarged hub l2 within which is carried a bushing 14 and a set of roller bearings 16. A hollow tubular sleeve 18 is received in the roller bearings and is-free. for vertical motion therein as well as for angular motion relative to the arm 54. Thesleeve I82 is provided with a set collar fluwhich may be adjustably secured thereto by means ofa set:

screw 82 and which serves to'limit vertical movement of the sleeve 18 relative to the hub 12. At:

its lower end the sleeve 18 carries the blade guide generally indicated at 56. It will be recognized that the construction just described provides asupport for the blade guide 56 wherebyitmay move laterally in accordance with the contour of the rows of pile loops in the carpet l8 and vertically to accommodate carpet orfabrics of various thicknesses.

In the detailed views, Figs. 4, 5 and 6 throughlO, it will be observed that the blade guide 56 comprises a slotted block which is secured as by. welding to the lower end of the sleeve 18. The guide may be machined from a single piece of metal as illustrated or may be assembled from separate parts if so desired. The guide 56'as shown comprises a rectangular upper portion 84'of sufficient width and length to be securely fastened, as by welding 88, diametrically across the lower end of sleeve 18. The ends of portion 84 extend beyond the sleeve 18 to provide convenient handles for manipulation of the guide whennecessary and to limit upward movement of the guide '56..

relative to the arm 54. The lower portion of the guide 56 is machined to a width, asviewed:

in Fig. 4, such as to be snugly received between adjacent rows of pile loops in the particular pile.

fabric for which the guide is designed. It'will'be noted that the lower corners are preferably rounded as at 92 and also that the entering end 94 is rounded to facilitate relative movement thereof in the furrow between adjacentrows of pile loops. The lower face of the portion 961s preferably tapered, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, toward the entering end to further facilitate such movement.

The guide'56 has a slot96 formed therein which extends vertically from the lower face of portion 90 through the upper surface of the portion 84 and opens into the hollow of the sleeve 18. The band saw blade is passed through the sleeve 18 and through the slot 96 of the guide 56 as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 for example. The slot 96 is of a width, as viewed in Fig. 4, such as to receive-the band saw blade snugly but without binding. As shown in the drawings the slot 96 is on the vertical center of the guide 56 and will thus cause the blade to out the carpet in the center of a furrow. If the slot is offset slightly the blade may be caused to cut off the center of a furrow if so desired.

It will be understood that the structure just described is provided on both of the band saws 34 and 36 so that the blades 33 and 40 may be displaced laterally in either direction by the guides 56 in accordance with the contour of the furrows in which the guides are riding. Since the guides are freely pivoted on the ends of the arms 54 there is no tendency for the guides to twist the blades in the course of such displacement. The blades 38 and G0 may be displaced from their normal positions for a considerable distance due to the flexibility of the blades and the characteristics of the blade tensioning mechanism (not shown) which forms a part of the usual band saw.

It is preferred to provide indicating means whereby an operator may determine when the blades 38 and 40 are in normal position. This is convenient when starting to slit a new roll of carpet. The indicating means also will enable enable the operator to make necessary corrections a when it is indicated that the blades have been displaced an abnormal amount by some major deviation in the weave.

'tially invisible seam in which the rows of pile A simple and effective indicating means is disclosed in the drawings. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 such means is shown on the band saw 36. It will be understood that the indicator may be positioned on either or both of the band saws as desired. Referring first to Fig. 3 a flange 5! is secured to the rod 56 just above the hub 62 of guide supporting arm 54. The flange 51 has secured thereto a scale plate 58 and a pivot pin 59 upon which is pivoted a pointer 60. The lower end of pointer 60 loosely engages a pin 6| secured to the hub 62.

Angular movement of hub 62 incident to the movement of guide 56 will be transmitted to the pointer 65 causin it to move across the scale plate 58. As shown in Fig. 2 the scale plate 58 and pointer may be positioned on one of the band saws in such a location as to be visible from the end of the machine where the supply roll I4 is located. The scale plate 53 may be grad uated or not as desired and the parts should be so adjusted that the pointer 60 stands vertically when the band saw blade is in its normal position.

The operation of the device will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 3 and 5. In said Figs. 3 and 5 the pile fabric 18 is shown as a carpet comprising a ground material I00 made up of suitable warp and weft threads. The ground material N33 is permanently bonded to a backing :02 preferably made of sponge rubber. The pile comprises parallel rows of pile loops I04 which may cut or uncut as illustrated depending upon the particular type of fabric or carpeting. The device of the present invention will operate upon an fabric having clearly marked furrows between adjacent rows of pile loops or relief patterns or the like. As described above the blade guide 56 is so dimensioned as to ride snugly in While the blade 38 or 40 may move in either direction it is preferred to move it downwardly through the guide 56 to assist in holding the guide against the carpet. Thus when the fabric I8 is moved in the direction of the arrow the blade guide 56 will remain in the furrow and will carry the blade laterally to conform with such variations in linearity as may exist in that particular furrow. After passing the blade 38 or 49 the usable portion of the carpet will present a vertically disposed cut edge I06 which is uniformly spaced from the adjacent row of loops throughout the length of the piece of carpet. As discussed above an edge out in this manner may be abutted with a similarly cut edge and secured, as by cementing or taping, so as to form a substan loops at the joined edges are continuous and spaced from one another by substantially the same distance as all of the other rows in the carpet. Similarly, when the present embodiment or suitable modifications of the present invention are used to out along the outline of a pattern formed in relief or otherwise upon a sheet material, the edges may be abutted with similarly cut edges to form seams which coincide with the contour of the pattern. Such seams will be much less prominent than any seams which might out across the pattern.

Modifications and variations in detail may occur to those skilled in the art, and since the present disclosure is illustrative rather than limiting, it is intended that the invention shall include such modifications and variations as fall withinthe proper scope of the following claims.

We claim:

' 1. In a device for cutting sheet'material, a bed, a band saw having a frame and a flexible blade disposed substantially at right angles to said bed, means for moving a length of sheet material along said bed in a substantially straight-line path of travel, a blade guiding device including a member having a slot therein through whichsaid blade is freely threaded, and means for enabling said blade guiding device to move in directions generally transverse to the direction of movement of said sheet material to deflect said blade and cause said blade to out said material along a line having portions which are not parallel with the path of travel of said sheet material relative to said bed.

2. In a device for cutting sheet material having a relief pattern thereon along a line parallel with an edge of said relief pattern, an elongated flexible cutting blade, means for moving said sheet material in a substantially straight-line path of travel, and a blade guiding device slidably carried by said blade and being movable with said blade transversely of the path of travel of said sheet material, said blade guiding device being adapted to rest upon the surface of said sheetfabric in a direction generally parallel with the.

rows ofpile loops in said fabricand with the di rection of cut'of said'blade, andablade'guiding device slidably carried by said blade and being movable with said blade-transversely'of the-direction of movement of said pile-fabric, said blade moving a length of pile fabrlcln a direction generally parallelwith the rows-of pile loops in said" fabricand with thedirectionof cut ofsaid blade, and 8; blade guiding deviceslidably carried by said blade and being movable with said blade transversely of the direction of movement of said pile fabric, said blade guiding device'having'an edge parallel with the direction of cut of said blade and being adapted to rest upon'tl'le ground of said fabric with said edge incontact with a row of pile loops whereby to deflect said blade in accordance with variationsin linearity of said row of pile loops.

5. In a device for cutting-"pile fabric along a line parallel with and betweenadjacent rows of pile loops in said fabric; the combination of'an elongated flexible cutting blade, means for moving a length of pile fabric in a direction generally parallel with the rows of pile loops in said fabric and with the direction of cut of said blade, and a blade-guiding device" slidably carried by said blade and being movable with said blade transversely of the direction of movement of'said pile fabric, said blade guiding device having spaced walls on opposite sides of said blade and being adapted to rest upon the ground of said fabric with said wallsin engagement with adjacent rows of pile loops wherebyto deflect said blade in accordance:with-variations in linearity.

of said rows of' pile'iloops.

6. In a devicefor'cutting pile fabric along. a 4

line between and parallel'with adjacent'rows'of pile loops, the combinationof'abed, a' band saw having a frame and:a flexible blade disposed substantially at right angles'to said bed, meansfor.

'7. In a device for cutting pile fabric along a.

line between and parallel with adjacent rows of. pile loops, the combination of a bed, a band saw having a frame and aflexible blade disposed. substantially at rightangles to..saidv bed, means.

for moving a length of. pile fabric along said .bed in a direction generallyv parallel .with the. rows of pile loopsin said fabric, abladeguiding device through which said blade is, threaded and having a portion adapted to. rest. upon the ground of said fabric between ,adjacentjrowsof loops, said blade guiding device beingimmovable relative to said blade indirections transverse oftheline of cut thereof and being movable with said bladein said directions whereby to deflect said 'blade'r'elatlvely to saidframe in accordance'with variations" in' linearity of the rows of'loops between which said guiding device is received.

'8. In a device for trimming the opposite edgesof pile fabric along linesbetween and parallel with adjacent rows of pile loops, the combination of a' bed, a band saw positioned at each endof said bed, each of said band saws having a flexible:

blade disposed substantially at right angles to said bed, means for moving a length of pile fabric along said bed in a direction generally parallel with the rows of pile loops in said fabric, and a blade guiding shoe slidably carried by the blade of each of said band saws and being movable with said blade transversely of the direction of move ment of said pile'fabric, said guiding shoes being elongated in the direction of cut ofv said blades and having'a width crosswise of said blades :such; as to be received between adjacent rows of pile.

loops in said fabric.

9. In a device for cutting pile fabric along a line parallel with and between adjacent rows of pile loops in said fabric, the combination of aband 'saw having a frame and an-endless flexible cutting blade, means for moving a length of pile fabric in a direction generally parallel with the rows of pile loops in said fabric and with the direction of cut of said blade, a blade guiding device slidably carried by said blade and being movable with said blade transversely of the direction of movement of said pile fabric, said blade guiding device having spaced walls on opposite.

sides of said blade, and being adapted to rest upon the ground of said fabric with said wallsin engagement with adjacent rows of pile .loops whereby to deflect said blade relative to said frame in accordance with variations in linearity of said rows of pile loops, and means for indicating the amount of deflection of said blade.

10. In a device for cutting pile fabric along a line between and parallel with adjacent rows of pile loops in said fabric, the combination of a bed, a band saw having a frame and a flexible blade disposed substantially at right angles to.

said bed, means for moving a length of pile fabric along said bed in a direction generally parallel with the rows of pile loops in said fabric, an arm freely pivoted upon the frame of said band saw for movement in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of said bed, and a blade guiding device freely pivoted on the free end of said arm having a slot for slidably receiving said blade, said blade guiding device having a portion elongated in the direction of cut of said blade and of a width crosswise of said blade such as'to be received between adjacent rows of pile loops in said fabric, the slot in said blade guiding device extending through said elongated portion whereby said blade is caused to out said fabric along a line between the rows of pile loops between which said elongated portion is received.

RUSSELL T. KOROLYSHUN.

FRANCIS J. SULLIVAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 125,638 Warth Apr. 9, 1872 677,107 Thomas June 25, 1901 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 15,987 Great Britain July 8, 1912- 652,419 Germany Nov.'2, 1937 

